HARLINGEN — After more than a year on the job, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez’s high marks on his job performance might be landing him a raise.
Now, city commissioners are considering giving him a pay increase following his first evaluation covering a full-year period.
“That’s still up in the air,” Commissioner Rene Perez said, referring to a pay increase. “We’re still evaluating that.”
During a closed-session meeting Wednesday, commissioners gave Gonzalez “above-average” marks on his second evaluation after the previous commission appointed him city manager in late 2021.
“I feel very good about the evaluation,” Gonzalez said. “It was a vote of confidence from the city commission. They felt confident that we are headed in the right direction.”
Under Gonzalez’s contract, the annual evaluation does not trigger a pay increase.
“At any time during the term of this agreement, the commission may, in its discretion, review and adjust the salary of the city manager,” the contract states.
Job performance
In October 2021, the previous commission appointed Gonzalez, signing the longtime assistant city manager to a two-year contract paying an annual salary of $225,000, replacing City Manager Dan Serna amid a push for change at City Hall.
While reviewing his job performance, commissioners noted Gonzalez’s 35 years experience in city government and his open line of communication.
“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made as a city commissioner,” Perez, who served on the previous commission, said, referring to his vote to appoint Gonzalez in 2021. “I think Gabe has done a great job. He has vast knowledge and experience. He really listens. He’s been a great employee for the city. He always puts the needs of the city before his — he’s a good guy.”
Since winning office 10 years ago, Commissioner Michael Mezmar has worked with Gonzalez, first in his role as an assistant city manager and now as the city’s top administrator, noting his close working relationship with commissioners.
I consider him to be the epitome of a public servant, displaying integrity, efficiency and effectiveness.
“I think Gabriel Gonzalez is doing a wonderful job,” he said. “He communicates very well with us. He’s a mighty fine person. He’s calm — and nice.”
Mezmar also said Gonzalez’s staff, including Assistant City Managers Josh Ramirez and Craig Cook, offer strong administrative support.
“The assistant city managers do well on their own initiative supporting Gabe and the city,” he said.
After working with Gonzalez since winning election in May 2022, Commissioner Ford Kinsley hailed his professionalism.
“As a new city commissioner, Mr. Gonzalez quickly became my go-to guy for getting information or to get pointed in the right direction,” he stated. “I consider him to be the epitome of a public servant, displaying integrity, efficiency and effectiveness.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Frank Morales said he wants Gonzalez to become “more assertive.”
“I see pros and cons,” he said, referring to Gonzalez’s job performance. “But overall, it’s sound.”
Background
For more than 20 years, Gonzalez had served as an assistant city manager, working as assistant city manager for internal affairs, overseeing numerous departments, before taking the city’s top administrative job.
Before taking the assistant city manager’s job in 2001, he had served as San Benito’s city manager from 1998 to 2001 after working as the city’s community development director from 1992 to 1997.
Gonzalez began his career in Brownsville, serving as the city’s economic development specialist from 1986 to 1988 before working with the community development department from 1988 to 1992.
Gonzalez, a certified public manager, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin.
